Friday, November 27, 2009

Sometimes, I am asked "Where do your poems come from?How do you do that?"It can be difficult to explain and often I simply shrugmy shoulders and reply "I dunno. Just happens."

The process can be different each time but, one constantis that I keep a notebook and pen with me, always.I never know when the urge to write will appear. Often,it may only be a word or phrase that catches my attention.I never know when they might come together in one piece.

It isn't uncommon for something noted days or evenmonths ago turns out to be a needed title, last line or theinspiration seed that grows into a complete idea.

For example, the poem I'm posting here...the title was written as two lines, out of the blue, severaldays ago. Last night I was flipping through my notebook,saw those lines, and started thinking thoughts with wordsin them. They were insistent, demanding to be written.This is what the muse was dictating :

You remind me of someone else...

too much time feelingbound to do, be, sayaroused rebellionresulting in not much goodfor another batchof too much time.lost then foundnow is whennot then.savor selfand spend selfbeing trueto you.love always honestand muchnow.

This story made me cry. In a good way.This country is blessed with thousands and thousands ofgenerous, giving, talented, quiet citizens who do wonderfulthings for people every day and do not expect nor wantpayment or attention.

Good Americans. Good people. Volunteers.We still have many good reasons to be very proudof the people who make up the majority of this country.The American Spirit lives in them.As it should in all of us and, I know it does in all of you.

Sunday, November 08, 2009

for a long timeI stopped.flat disappeared.and when youare notthere is nowhereto go.so you staywhere you're notand never wake up.'til a day comesthat jars youand the woundsstart to bleed.then you get upand walkthrough the doorinto daylightand you see thatthe road to salvationis waitingright where it's ever been the whole timethat you thought you were not.